J-15 carrier fighter thread

SinoSoldier

Colonel
So a typical airwing could consist of the following for CV-16 and 17

4 x J15D
4 x J15S
16 x J15A

They have built already 24 x J15A extra aircraft needed to deploy 16

If they start or if have started J15B they could deliver 24 units by end of 2019

Within a few years by 2020 we could see 2 x STOBAR with full spectrum of aircraft on board

A few big shrimps are saying that the J-15S won't enter production/service.
 

Deino

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
Hmmm??? Via Scramble:

Recently, clear pictures have been published for the first time of a new J15 version build by XAC (Xi’an Aircraft Company).

The J15S is nicknamed by enthusiasts as Sino-Growler, because it seems to have been developed to mimic the Boeing EA-18G in the Electronic Warfare role. For this purpose the wingtips feature large electronic support measures (ESM)/ Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) pods.

It is believed the airframe already first flew in October 2016. The dual seat aircr...aft is destined to operate within the Chinese Carrier Air Wing from their aircraft carriers.

Photo Chinese Internet

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"build by XAC"?? Is that correct?? I thought they are from SAC?
 

KlRc80

Junior Member
Registered Member
I have some questions pertaining to the newly posted pictures:

1) There are some paint asymmetries in the recent pictures (Orange circles below). Is it odd or normal to have sensors (assuming paint colour is an accurate indication of sensors/ function) asymmetrically? That means in operation the aircraft may have restrictions trying to orient itself in one direction to perform EW functions but some of its sensor is in the opposite wing.

2) The air-brake is painted green in the black circle below. Does it mean there is likely a pretty big sensor below the air-brake (green assuming it is composites so that the sensor sutting below it can look through the air-brake)? If yes it would be pretty odd to have sensors pointing upwards (assuming not for satellite comms) unless the plane is during operation supposed to be below adversary planes and have sensors pointing upwards maybe at adversary AWACS with sensors on their bellies?

3) The whole horizontal stabilizers are green, is it more likely that they are composites in order to reduce radar reflections or they contain large sensors or act as antennas? If they are composites for radar reductions then shouldn't the canards also be composites too and painted green too? Or just being composites simply for the sake of having lower weight?

IMG_20180502_011528.jpg


IMG_20180502_015248.jpg
 
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KlRc80

Junior Member
Registered Member
My thinking was based on:
1) Sensors seen on the J10, J16, J20 are either green, light grey and of visually different colour from the rest of the plane structure.
2) They are mostly on either vertical stabilizer tips, leading edges of wings and other extremities.
3) Different primer colours mean a different type of material that they are coating. Could be metal, composites or sensors.
4) There was previous discussion that the dark green primer was for UV protection of composites.

So conclusion is if it's composites or sensors, then it'll be green or light grey. Not necessarily the other way round, green doesn't represent sensors but could be composites.

There are quite a few asymmetries (all happens to be flight control surfaces) that I pointed out.

If those greens are due to being composites, then it'll be very odd that the identical left and right flight control surfaces are of different materials. Therefore should be higher chance that they are sensors instead.
 

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
I have some questions pertaining to the newly posted pictures:

1) There are some paint asymmetries in the recent pictures (Orange circles below). Is it odd or normal to have sensors (assuming paint colour is an accurate indication of sensors/ function) asymmetrically? That means in operation the aircraft may have restrictions trying to orient itself in one direction to perform EW functions but some of its sensor is in the opposite wing.

2) The air-brake is painted green in the black circle below. Does it mean there is likely a pretty big sensor below the air-brake (green assuming it is composites so that the sensor sutting below it can look through the air-brake)? If yes it would be pretty odd to have sensors pointing upwards (assuming not for satellite comms) unless the plane is during operation supposed to be below adversary planes and have sensors pointing upwards maybe at adversary AWACS with sensors on their bellies?

3) The whole horizontal stabilizers are green, is it more likely that they are composites in order to reduce radar reflections or they contain large sensors or act as antennas? If they are composites for radar reductions then shouldn't the canards also be composites too and painted green too? Or just being composites simply for the sake of having lower weight?

IMG_20180502_011528.jpg


IMG_20180502_015248.jpg

Just "primer" Gents, relax....
 

SinoSoldier

Colonel
Forum posts from pb19980515 indicate that the J-16D and J-15D share the same electronic warfare system and fire-control radar. He also mentioned something regarding anti-submarine capabilities but I'm not sure if that applies to the J-15D discussion or not.
 

Tam

Brigadier
Registered Member
Just "primer" Gents, relax....

Just different primers over different materials --- sufficient for speculation underneath. I would think Yellow means metal underneath, Green would mean composite underneath likely for weight reduction, and Greys represent another composite --- the radar bandpass kind, indicating radars, radar receivers and ECM arrays. It would be the greys I would pay most attention to, since these are the areas that are most suited for ECM coverage. Most interesting is the possible arrays on the cheeks near the cockpit. The green patch on the center of the plane's spine is probably for the air brake, and would make sense to use composite on that as opposed to metal.
 

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Just "primer" Gents, relax....
Having siad that...she looks to me to definitley be the The Flying Shark Growler aircraft.

This will be an excellent addition to the PLAN air wings on all of their carriers.

I am sure there will be a two seat version like the F/A-18F SuperHornet for attack missions...but to me, this one looks more like the EW bird.
 
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